Could Manchester City youngster be a wildcard in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad?
When Scotland head coach Steve Clarke revealed that he is expected to submit a bumper 55-man preliminary squad to FIFA ahead of this summer’s World Cup, those players on the fringes of the national team will have felt their ears prick up.
Drawn in Group C of the tournament, just 58 days stand between Scotland and their opening game against Haiti at the 63,815-capacity Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. For those players who want to make a late bid to be on the plane to North America, time is running out, with Clarke’s extended squad list having to be submitted by May 11.
While the likes of Scott McTominay, John McGinn and Andy Robertson can't tuck themselves into bed at night without worries of being omitted, debate continues to surround which players should be handed an opportunity to impress as the tournament edges closer. However, one of those players who has yet to be mentioned in the wider sphere is emerging as a potential candidate after a surprise position change sparked a series of eye-catching displays.
Highly-rated Manchester City Emilio Lawrence has long been viewed as one of Scotland’s most promising young stars. A regular in Scot Gemmill’s Under-21 side, the 20-year-old took his first steps into senior football when he penned a loan deal until the end of the season with Jack Wilshere’s English third-tier outfit Luton Town.
Lawrence is spending the season on loan to Luton Town from Manchester City.placeholder image
Lawrence is spending the season on loan to Luton Town from Manchester City. | Getty Images
Signed to add extra firepower to their playoff charge, Lawrence was first noticed by Wilshere when playing for Everton’s academy as a teen. Viewed as one of the country’s best players in his age group, his talents took him to the Etihad just days after his 17th birthday.
“Coming through the City system he has an understanding of what is required from a winger at the top level, and a lot of quality,” said Wilshere upon his arrival. “He can play through the middle, or off either side, but he’s more comfortable off the left coming in on his right foot.”
After a tough start to his time at Kenilworth Road in an attacking role, the talented playmaker has become one of the Hatters’ star performers after being moved to left-wing back by the former Arsenal playmaker. Scoring his first senior goal in the 1-1 draw against Stockport County last month, Lawrence’s form has taken a major upsurge after the shock position switch, catapulting him into a potential candidate to be named in Clarke’s preliminary squad.
“I feel like everything happens for a reason,” admitted Lawrence. “I’ve enjoyed it [playing at left wing-back], it’s fine. I feel like defensively I’m backing myself. I think a few fans might have been a bit nervous at times when they saw me there, but I definitely back myself there. I felt like I still was getting on the ball quite a lot higher up the pitch which is the main thing, so I can showcase what I can do higher up the pitch as well as at the back.”
Continuing to excel as a left wing-back in the games, Lawrence’s dribbling, crossing, and long-range shooting, and ability to create significant tactical overloads from a deeper position saw him claim his first winners’ medal at the weekend, where he played a major role in Luton’s 3-1 Vertu Trophy final win over Stockport at Wembley on Sunday.
Conceding after just 11 minutes via a goal from former St Johnstone forward Adama Sidibeh, he helped drag the side back into the game, drawing Luton level on 22 minutes when he fired home a sumptuous drive through the legs of Corey Addai at the 90,000 capacity stadium.
Lawrence is emerging as a potential option at left wing-back for Scotland this summer.placeholder image
Lawrence is emerging as a potential option at left wing-back for Scotland this summer. | Getty Images
Further goal contributions have come in recent weeks, laying on assists in the back-to-back 2-1 league wins over Peterborough United and Northampton Town this month. Just three points outside of the playoff spots, the Cityzen’s youngster is hoping he can help Wilshere’s side seal a return to Wembley in the EFL League One playoffs after sparking a turnaround under the former Arsenal midfielder, who has taken Luton from mid-table to promotion candidates. But could he top off his season with a surprise spot in the Scotland squad?
"I’m just focusing on ending the season as high as we can,” said Lawrence. “Just doing what I can to help the team get into the playoffs and get the club back up to the Championship. Hopefully we can be back to Wembley in the playoffs as well next month, do the same again and then we can assess what happens in the summer. I’ve loved being here, I’ve loved every minute of it, so I’d be more than happy to come back.”
With an enlarged 55-man squad meaning fringe stars will be given an opportunity to impress ahead of the World Cup, Lawrence is beginning to put himself into Clarke’s view as a potential option. Having long abandoned the back three system with wing-backs, the Scotland boss reverted to the formation in the 1-0 friendly defeat to the Ivory Coast last month, showing that he is open to experimenting with systems ahead of the tournament opener.
Read More
While captain Andy Robertson is the shoo-in for that role should he opt to deploy it permanently, he has little competition, meaning there’s space for Lawrence in the squad if he continues at his current trajectory. But will he opt to give one of the country’s most in-form young stars a chance to book a seat on the plane to the United States in June?